Rudy Giuliani‘s run for the White House came to an end in Florida last night. He had bet the rent on a roll of the dice in the Sunshine State – and lost.

Today he’s expected formally to withdraw from the race – and endorse John McCain. What a classy way to end a most improbable campaign.

Not since John Hoffman was elected governor way back in 1868 has a New York City mayor been able to win a higher elected office.

Giuliani hoped to break that jinx, and a few months ago it seemed that he might.

Experts will be analyzing the Giuliani campaign for years, in hopes of figuring out just why Rudy – who entered the race enjoying a wide lead in the polls over both his Republican and Democratic challengers – nosedived so quickly.

Many doubtless will second-guess his basic strategy of skipping the early contests entirely in favor of Florida. Giuliani failed to contest Iowa, New Hampshire, Michigan and South Carolina – and, by yesterday, the parade had passed him by.

It’s also not clear why America’s Mayor stayed stuck on the 9/11 theme. Yes, those days were his finest, but there was much more than that to his incumbency.

The New York mayoralty was seen as an impossible job – before he won it.

His successful challenge of liberal orthodoxy – indeed, his redefinition of the terms of the political debate – pleaded for repetition on a national level.

Giuliani, in short, brought substance to the race for president – both in his past record of success and his proposals for America’s future.

But, by accident or design, he failed to make his own case early on – and when he finally tried, nobody was listening.

It’s hard to see where he goes from here – but, if he’s wise, it’ll be back to New York.

Following in John Hoffman’s footsteps would be something of a comedown, but stranger things have happened.